Method of and means for monitoring filament break-outs or glass flood conditions in a glass filament-forming process

Abstract

The disclosure embraces a method of and apparatus for automatically and remotely detecting and indicating when any filament breaks out or other discontinuity occurs in the process of attenuating streams of filament-forming material, such as glass, into filaments and wherein a break-out or discontinuity results in an accumulation or collection of the material or glass at the region of the break-out. The method of and apparatus for remotely detecting a filament break-out involve scanning the stream flow region of a stream feeder with a lens system or video camera, projecting the image of the stream flow region of the feeder by the lens system or camera onto a group or matrix of optoelectronic photo detectors wherein a detector is subjected to a change in state by an image of an accumulation or collection of the filament-forming material or glass at the orifice of the stream from which the break-out occurred, and utilizing the output of the affected detector for remotely indicating a filament break-out, or utilizing the output to activate means for eliminating the accumulated material or glass and restoring normal stream flow operation from the feeder.

I claim: 
     
       1. The method involving flowing streams of heat-softened glass from orifices in a stream feeder, attenuating the streams to filaments, scanning the stream flow region of the feeder by a lens system of a closed loop video camera, transmitting the image of the stream flow region on a matrix of optoelectronic photo detectors wherein a detector is responsive to an image of the accumulation of glass occurring at an orifice by reason of a filament break-out, the image of the accumulation of glass adapted to cause a change of state of the detector, transmitting from the detector the image of the accumulation of glass onto a receiver screen having a matrix of sweep line intersections corresponding to the spatial locations of the orifices in the feeder whereby the image of the glass accumulated at the orifice at which the filament break-out occurs visually appears on the screen. 
     
     
       2. The method involving flowing streams of heat-softened glass from orifices in a stream feeder, attenuating the streams to filaments, scanning the stream flow region of the feeder by a lens system, focusing the stream flow region on a matrix of optoelectronic photo detectors wherein a detector is responsive to a glass flood occurring at an orifice by reason of a filament break-out, the image of the glass flood adapted to cause a change of state of the said detector, transmitting by the detector an image of the glass flood onto a screen of a receiver having a matrix of intersections corresponding to the spatial locations of the orifices in the feeder whereby the image of the glass flood at the orifice at which the filament break-out occurs visually appears on the screen. 
     
     
       3. The method involving flowing streams of heat-softened glass from orifices in a stream feeder, attenuating the streams to filaments, scanning the stream flow region of the feeder by a lens system, focusing the stream flow region on a matrix of optoelectronic photo detectors wherein a detector is responsive to a bead of glass that may form at an orifice by reason of a filament break-out, the image of the bead of glass adapted to cause a change of state of the said detector, transmitting by the detector an image of the bead of glass onto a screen of a receiver having a matrix of intersections corresponding to the spatial locations of the orifices in the feeder whereby the image of the bead of glass formed at the orifice at which the filament break-out occurs visually appears on the screen. 
     
     
       4. The method involving flowing streams of heat-softened glass from orifices in a stream wherein cones of glass of the streams depend from the orifices and the streams attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at the orifice of the break-out, automatically and remotely indicating the occurrence of a filament break-out including scanning the stream flow region of the feeder by a lens system of a closed-loop video camera, reproducing the images of the glass cones at the stream flow region as a matrix of dots on a screen of a video receiver by a matrix of optoelectronic photo detectors, the matrix of dots corresponding to the spatial locations of the orifices in the stream feeder, the image of the accumulated glass at the orifice at which the filament break-out occurs detected by one of the detectors appears in place of a dot. 
     
     
       5. The method involving flowing streams of heat-softened filament-forming mineral material from orifices in a stream feeder, attenuating the streams to filaments, scanning the stream flow region of the feeder by a lens system of a closed-loop video camera, transmitting the image of the stream flow region onto a matrix of optoelectronic photo detectors of a character wherein a detector is responsive to an image of an accumulation of material occurring at an orifice by reason of a filament break-out, the image of the accumulated material adapted to cause a change of state of the detector receiving the image, transmitting by the output of the detector the image of the accumulation of material onto a screen of a receiver having a matrix of sweep line intersections corresponding to the spatial locations of the orifices in the feeder whereby the image of the accumulated material at the orifice at which the filament break-out occurred visually appears on the screen. 
     
     
       6. The method involving flowing streams of heat-softened glass from orifices in a stream feeder, attenuating the streams to filaments, scanning the stream flow region of the feeder by a lens system of a closed-loop video camera, transmitting the image of the stream flow region onto a matrix of optoelectronic photo detectors of a character wherein a detector is responsive to an image of an accumulation of glass occurring to an orifice by reason of a filament break-out, the image of the accumulation of glass adapted to cause a change of state of the detector receiving the image, transmitting by the output of the detector the image of the accumulation of glass onto a screen of a receiver having a matrix of sweep line intersections corresponding to the spatial locations of the orifices in the feeder whereby the image of the glass accumulated at the orifice at which the filament break-out occurred visually appears on the screen. 
     
     
       7. The method involving flowing streams of heat-softened glass from orifices in a stream feeder wherein cones of glass depend from the orifices and the streams attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at an orifice, automatically and remotely indicating the occurrence of a filament break-out including scanning the stream flow region of the feeder by a closed-loop video camera, transmitting the images of the cones of glass from the video camera onto a matrix of electronic detectors, transmitting the output of the detectors onto the screen of a receiver as a matrix of dots, the matrix of dots corresponding to the spatial locations of the orifices in the stream feeder, the image of glass accumulated at the orifice at which the filament break-out occurred appears on the screen in place of a dot. 
     
     
       8. The method involving flowing streams of heat-softened glass from orifices in a stream feeder, attenuating the streams of glass to filaments, scanning the stream flow region of the feeder by a lens system, focusing the image of the stream flow region on a matrix of optoelectronic photo detectors corresponding to the spatial locations of the orifices in the feeder, one of the detectors being affected by a filament break-out resulting in a collection of glass at the orifice at which the break-out occurred, the state of the detector effected by the break-out being changed, the detector affected by the break-out transmitting an image of the collected glass onto a screen of a receiver having matrix intersections corresponding to the spatial locations of the orifices in the feeder, the image of collected glass provided by the output of the affected detector appearing at a matrix intersection corresponding to the orifice from which the break-out occurred. 
     
     
       9. The method involving flowing streams of heat-softened glass from orifices in a stream feeder, attenuating the streams of glass to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at the orifice at which the filament break-out occurred, scanning the orifice region of the stream feeder by a lens system of a video camera, transmitting the image of the collected glass to an optoelectronic detector of a matrix of optoelectronic detectors corresponding to the orifices in the stream feeder, the detector affected by the accumulated glass transmitting an image of the collected glass onto the screen of a video receiver, the screen being provided with a matrix of sweep line intersections corresponding to the spatial locations of the orifices in the stream feeder, the image of the collected glass being at one of the matrix intersections thereby indicating on the screen the particular orifice at which the filament break-out has occurred. 
     
     
       10. The method involving flowing streams of heat-softened glass from orifices in a stream feeder, attenuating the streams to filaments and wherein a filament break-out results in an accumulation of glass at an orifice, scanning the stream flow region of the feeder by a lens system of a closed-loop video camera, focusing the image of the stream flow region on a matrix of optoelectronic photo detectors, an accumulation of glass at an orifice following a filament break-out effecting the state of an optoelectronic photo detector, transmitting the image of the accumulated glass from the affected detector to a television screen, the television screen providing sweep line matrix intersections corresponding to the spatial locations of the orifices in the stream feeder, the output of the detector affected by the image of the accumulated glass providing a visual image of the accumulated glass on the screen at the matrix intersection corresponding to the orifice at which the break-out occurred. 
     
     
       11. The method involving flowing streams of heat-softened glass from orifices in a stream feeder, attenuating the streams to filaments, scanning the stream flow region of the feeder by a lens system, focusing the stream flow region by the lens system on a matrix of detectors wherein a detector is responsive to the image of an accumulation of glass occurring at an orifice by reason of a filament break-out, the image of the accumulation of glass adapted to cause a change of state of the detector, and transmitting the output of the detector subjected to change of state for energizing a signal indicating that a filament break-out has occurred. 
     
     
       12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the output of the change of state of the detector is transmitted to an illuminated signal for indicating that a filament break-out has occurred. 
     
     
       13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the output of the change of state of the detector is transmitted to an annunciator signal for indicating that a filament break-out has occurred. 
     
     
       14. The method involving flowing streams of heat-softened glass from orifices in a stream feeder, attenuating the streams to filaments, scanning the stream flow region of the feeder by a lens system, focusing the stream flow region by the lens system on a matrix of detectors wherein a detector is responsive to the image of an accumulation of glass occurring at an orifice by reason of a filament break-out, the image of the accumulation of glass adapted to cause a change of state of the detector, and transmitting the output of the detector subjected to change of state for activating means for delivering fluid onto the accumulation of glass for restoring normal glass stream flow from the stream feeder. 
     
     
       15. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened filament-forming material flow from orifices in a stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of the material at the orifice of the stream from which the break-out occurred including, in combination, a lens system for scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a matrix of electronic detectors receiving optic signals through the lens system from the stream flow region, at least one of the electronic detectors being affected by an image from the lens system of an accumulation of the material resulting from a filament break-out at a stream flow orifice, and means responsive to the output of the affected electronic detector indicating the occurrence of a filament break-out. 
     
     
       16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the means responsive to the output of the affected electronic detector is an illuminated signal. 
     
     
       17. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the means responsive to the output of the affected electronic detector is an annunciator. 
     
     
       18. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened filament-forming material flow from orifices in a stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of the material at the orifice of the stream from which the break-out occurred including, in combination, a lens system for scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a matrix of electronic detectors receiving optic signals through the lens system from the stream flow region, at least one of the electronic detectors being affected by an image from the lens system of an accumulation of the material resulting from a filament break-out at a stream flow orifice, and an instrumentality for initiating flow of fluid onto the accumulation of material for eliminating the accumulation of material at the orifice of the stream from which the break-out occurred, the output of the affected detector adapted to activate the instrumentality. 
     
     
       19. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened glass flow from orifices in a stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at the orifice of the stream from which the breakout occurred including, in combination, a lens system for scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a matrix of electronic detectors receiving optic signals through the lens system from the stream flow region, at least one of the electronic detectors being affected by an image from the lens system of an accumulation of glass resulting from a filament break-out at a stream flow orifice, and signal means responsive to the output of the affected electronic detector for indicating the occurrence of a filament break-out. 
     
     
       20. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened glass flow from orifices in a glass stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at the orifice of the stream from which the break-out occurred including, in combination, a lens system for scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a matrix of electronic detectors receiving optic signals through the lens system from the stream flow region, at least one of the electronic detectors being affected by an image of an accumulation of glass at a stream flow orifice, a monitor screen, the output of said detector affected by the image of the accumulation of glass transmitting a visual indication of the accumulated glass onto the monitor screen. 
     
     
       21. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened filament-forming material flow from orifices in a stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of the material at the orifice of the stream from which the break-out occurred including, in combination, a video camera for scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a matrix of electronic detectors receiving optic signals through the camera from the stream flow region of the feeder, at least one of the electronic detectors being affected by an image of an accumulation of the material at a stream flow orifice, a receiver having a monitor screen, the output of said detector affected by the image of the accumulation of the material transmitting a visual indication of the accumulated material onto the monitor screen. 
     
     
       22. Apparatus according to claim 21 including spatial filter means positioned in advance of the electronic detectors to reduce the optical interference from regions adjacent the orifice at which the break-out occurred. 
     
     
       23. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened glass flow from orifices in a glass stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at the orifice of the stream from which the filament break-out occurred including, in combination, a closed-loop video camera having a lens system scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a plurality of optoelectronic photo detectors, the image of an accumulation of glass occurring at an orifice by reason of a filament break-out effecting a change in the state of at least one of the detectors, a receiver having a screen on which appears a matrix of vertical and horizontal sweep lines, the spatial intersections of the sweep lines corresponding to the locations of the orifices of the stream flow area of the feeder, and a visual image of the accumulated glass affecting the state of a detector being transmitted onto the screen at the intersection of the sweep lines corresponding to the location of the orifice at which the filament break-out occurred. 
     
     
       24. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened glass flow from orifices in a glass stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at the orifice of the stream from which the filament break-out occurred including, in combination, a closed-loop video camera having a lens system scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a plurality of optoelectronic photo detectors, the image of an accumulation of glass occurring at an orifice by reason of a filament break-out effecting a change in the state of at least one of the detectors by the output of the video camera, and an instrumentality for activating delivery of fluid onto the accumulation of glass for eliminating the accumulation of glass at the orifice of the steam from which the break-out occurred and restoring normal stream flow, the output of the detector affected by the image of the accumulation of glass adapted to activate the instrumentality. 
     
     
       25. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened glass flow from orifices in a glass stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at the orifice of the stream from which the filament break-out occurred including, in combination, a closed-loop video camera having a lens system scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a plurality of optoelectronic photo detectors, the image of an accumulation of glass occurring at an orifice by reason of a filament break-out effecting a change in the state of at least one of the detectors by the output of the video camera, and a signal means for indicating a filament break-out, the output of the detector affected by the image of the accumulation of glass adapted to activate the signal means. 
     
     
       26. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened glass flow from orifices in a glass stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at the orifice of the stream from which the filament break-out occurred including, in combination, a closed-loop video camera having a lens system scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a plurality of optoelectronic photo detectors, the image of an accumulation of glass occurring at an orifice by reason of a filament break-out effecting a change in the state of at least one of the detectors by the output of the video camera, tubular means for directing fluid onto the accumulation of glass on the stream feeder surface for eliminating the accumulation of glass, and valve means associated with the tubular means for controlling fluid flow to the tubular means, said valve means being responsive to the output of the detector affected by the image of the accumulation of glass for controlling said valve means. 
     
     
       27. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened glass flow from orifices in a glass stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at the orifice of the stream from which the filament break-out occurred including, in combination, a lens system scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a matrix array of optoelectronic photo detectors arranged in correspondence with the stream flow orifices of the feeder orifice area, a matrix array of electronic switches in correspondence with the matrix array of optoelectronic photo detectors, each of the electronic switches being responsive to an optoelectronic photo detector, the image of an accumulation of glass occurring at an orifice by reason of a filament break-out effecting a change in the state of at least one of the optoelectronic photo detectors, the output of the affected optoelectronic photo detector adapted to activate the corresponding electronic switch to actuate a signal providing an indication of a filament break-out and the relative position of the filament break-out. 
     
     
       28. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened glass flow from orifices in a glass stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at the orifice of the stream from which the filament break-out occurred including, in combination, a closed-loop video camera having a lens system scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a matrix of optoelectronic photo detectors, the image of an accumulation of glass occurring at an orifice by reason of a filament break-out effecting a change in the state of at least one of the detectors by the output of the video camera, a matrix of amplifiers for the matrix of detectors, at least one of the amplifiers amplifying the output of the detector subjected to a change in state by the output of the video camera, and a signal means, the amplified output of the said detector subjected to a change of state arranged to activate the signal means to indicate a filament break-out. 
     
     
       29. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the activated signal means is an illuminated means. 
     
     
       30. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the activated signal means is an annunciator. 
     
     
       31. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened glass flow from orifices in a glass stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at the orifice of the stream from which the filament break-out occurred including, in combination, a lens system scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a group of optoelectronic detectors arranged in correspondence with the orifices of the feeder orifice area, a group of receiving detectors adapted to receive the output from the optoelectronic detectors, fiber optic means transmitting the output of the optoelectronic detectors to the receiving detectors, the image of an accumulation of glass occurring at an orifice by reason of the filament break-out effecting a change in the state of at least one of the optoelectronic detectors, the output of the affected optoelectronic photo detector being transmitted through the fiber optic means to one of the receiving detectors, the output of the receiving detector activating means for indicating a filament break-out. 
     
     
       32. Apparatus for detecting a filament break-out wherein streams of heat-softened glass flow from orifices in a glass stream feeder which are attenuated to filaments and wherein a filament break-out may occur resulting in an accumulation of glass at the orifice of the stream from which the filament break-out occurred including, in combination, a lens system scanning the stream flow region of the feeder, a first matrix array of optoelectronic photo detectors arranged in correspondence with the feeder orifice area, a second matrix array of coupling detectors affected by the output of the first array of optoelectronic photo detectors, a third array of receiving detectors, fiber optic means transmitting the output of the coupling detectors to the array of receiving detectors, the image of an accumulation of glass occurring at an orifice by reason of the filament break-out effecting a change in the state of at least one of the optoelectronic photo detectors of the first matrix array of detectors, the output of the affected optoelectronic photo detector of the first matrix being communicated through a coupling detector of the second array of detectors to a receiving detector of the third array of detectors by the fiber optic means, the output of the receiving detector activating means for indicating a filament break-out.